Why Embracing Your True Self Beats Following Trends
It's not that I'm a cranky “Judgy McJudgerson” who wants to quash the spirit of creative children (promise).
The actual reason came to mind while talking to a client from my Mighty Mastermind:
She shared that the program had helped her really lean into embracing who's she really is.
(Yay! One of my big goals for the coaching program, and the core of great marketing!).
But for this solopreneur, celebrating her true self meant going against the popular message to “embrace your weirdest self!” (aka being the girl on the right).
Because, she's… just not weird.
She doesn't have a wacky, free-spirited, messy inner self yearning to break free.
She's a calm, quiet, quality-driven person, and this serene focus is not only delightful: it helps her creativity thrive.
She's in the field of book-publishing, where her thoughtfulness, dedication to quality, and discipline help her excel (and help her author-clients get their books into the world!)
I often say that “We're all weird in our own way” (myself for damn sure).
But in this case,
My client's “weirdness” is not being weird.
I love that her time with me and her fellow solopreneurs helped her embrace that and celebrate it.
I've realized that the ballerina meme grinds my gears because like my client, I was often the fourth ballerina to the right as a child.
I wasn't necessarily scared to be myself (though there have certainly been times I needed to rebel and let my spirit fly), but rather, I really wanted to learn the dance, and enjoyed getting it right. I secretly resented the “barre-hangers” who monopolized the teacher's attention.
But here's the thing:
The point isn't to “be the girl on the right", or to be the girl next to her.
The point is to be brave enough to be YOU. (And in the context of business, to get paid to be you).
No matter which of the “ballerinas” you are.
No matter whether you're a bright-color-wearing, rule-breaking free spirit, or a cardigan-wearing, tea-sipping homebody.
Embracing your YOU is brave.
Embracing your YOU is fun.
Embracing your YOU draws in your ideal clients.
Embracing your YOU makes everything in your business easier.
Want to go even deeper into this idea, and hear one of my favorite conversations I've had all year? (Bonus: you'll get to hear a delightful Scottish brogue).
Scroll down for more.
But in the meantime, be you, you delightful little weirdo (or non-weirdo), you.
p.s. My next Brain Trust conversation, “Unlock your Bravery,” with CEO, speaker, bestselling author, and app-founder Iona Holloway, was all about being YOU. (Click here to watch).
Iona likes to “melt ice queens, feed lone wolves, plug the holes in emotional sponges, help ghosts feel seen, and teach robots how to feel." Check her out:
We covered:
*How to stop people pleasing, hiding, and being “beige,” and why this skill matters way more than qualifications and credentials.
*The moment that changed everything and created her Bravery Breakthrough—and how to open yourself up to a breakthrough in your own life,
*The key to finding bravery and spiritual growth while running your business (and why a certain amount of delusion and cluelessness aren't as bad as you think).
*Why judging yourself is killing your business (and spirit)— and how to stop judging yourself starting now.
*How to stay in love with your work, even when it's messy.
Iona's been featured on the BBC, Entrepreneur, Women's Fitness, Psychologies, and Thinx. I hope you enjoy our talk as much as we did.
p.p.s. One more thing:
Want to get on the Interest List for the next cohort of the Mighty Mastermind? Click here to be the first to hear when applications open up (including access to early-bird bonuses). It's coming soon!